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Roon squinted at her when she said it and seemed like he might press for more.

“So, how’s Gallina?” asked Viv, hurrying past the uncomfortable potential of that topic.

“Can’t say she wasn’t stung. But you know her, tough as they come. Maybe still sore, but she’ll be fine. You know, if you want me to say somethin’… carry a letter maybe…?”

“I should write her, but I think I ought to take a little time to think about it. You all still pass through Varian?”

“’Course. Easiest route to most places.”

“I’ll send her something there, after I figure out what to say. Tell her… well, tell her I’m sorry I left the way I did.”

Roon nodded, then drummed his hands on the table. “An’ speakin’ of leavin’, I have to be gettin’ on. Day’s runnin’ down, and a long way to go tomorrow. But before I do….” He rummaged in a pouch at his belt and pulled out a small gray stone with three wavy stripes engraved on the side.

“Blink Stone?” asked Viv.

“Yep,” said Roon. “I’ve got the match to it on me. I know you’re set up here, don’t expect any problems, but you ever get into trouble, things don’t go the way they should? You toss this into a fire, I’ll get the signal, and I’ll find you, now that I know where you are.”

“It’s going to be fine, Roon.”

“Well, sure it is. But also… maybe someday you find you need to get back out there.” He held up his hands before she could protest. “Not sayin’ you will! Not sayin’ it’s even likely. But, better prepared, true?”

She took the stone from him. “Better prepared. Sure.” It was the last thing she wanted, but he was doing her a kindness, and after she’d left them behind without explanation. The least she could do was graciously accept a friendly overture.

“Then I’ll be off,” he said briskly. He rose and embraced her again. He made a short bow to Tandri, adding, “A pleasure, miss.”

Viv saw him out. “It was good to see you, Roon. Truly. Give Gallina and Taivus my apologies. And Fennus….”

Roon grinned at her. “A swift kick in the arse?”

“Hm,” she said.

“I’ll see you. Take care, Viv.”

And he departed into the night.

* * *

“Sorry about that.” Viv returned to find Tandri still perusing the gnomish booklet. “Honestly, there’s no need for you to be here this late. I lost track of time, should have cut you loose an hour ago.”

The succubus looked up from her reading. “After all this? I think I have to know how this works. I’m not sure I can stand to be in suspense overnight when it’s sitting right here.” She briefly touched the gleaming machine.

It looked so modern and glossy, there on the counter. Gnomish engineering really was a marvel. It wasn’t exactly like the one Viv had seen in Azimuth, but close enough, and now that Roon had left, her excitement rose, along with some queasy trepidation.

“You already know how it works?” asked Tandri.

“For the most part,” said Viv, who stared at it, her eyes roving over curving pipes and polished glass plates.

“Well.” Tandri’s expression had given way to something with more humor in it. “Don’t leave me on tenterhooks.”

“Right! So, fire.” Viv located the small door along the front and flipped it open. An oil reservoir and wick were just visible. She found a long, sulfur match, struck it, and lit the wick, closing the door after.

“And water….” She filled a kettle from the water barrel, opened another door along the top, and carefully decanted water into the reservoir.

While she retrieved a bag of beans from the storeroom, she heard a rising gentle hiss, and by the time she returned, the gauges along the front had begun to twitch.

There was a clever grinding mechanism at one end, and she poured a measure of beans into yet another compartment.

She unlatched one of the long-handled devices from the front of the machine and slotted it in below the grinder.

Once the right-hand gauge crept into the blue section on its face, she flipped a lever, and a rumbling whine sounded as the beans were ground and packed tightly into the scoop of the handle.

“Can you pass me one of those mugs?”

Tandri obliged, watching the whole process with interest.

“Now, for the final bit,” said Viv, reseating the scoop in its original location, placing the mug beneath, and flicking another lever.

A louder, sharp hissing, a gurgle, and the machine thrummed as water surged through the silver pipework. After several seconds of increasing noise, a steady trickle of brown liquid poured into the mug below.

Viv waited a bit too long to cut the switch, but she could tell immediately that she’d mostly done it correctly. The smell that rose from the mug was rich and warm and nutty… and perfect.

She brought it to her nose, closed her eyes, and inhaled deeply.

“Gods. Yes, that’s it.”

Relief and elation surged through Viv in equal measure.

“I really like it this way, but for a first timer….” Viv held the mug under another spout and pressed a trigger along the top, and hot water burbled into the cup until it was nearly full.

She turned carefully to Tandri and held the mug out. “Here. Go on. Careful though, it’s hot.”

Tandri gravely took the mug and held it in both hands, tentatively sniffing at it.

She brought the brim to her lips, blew on it for several seconds, and then took a very cautious sip.

A long pause.

“Oh,” said Tandri. “Oh my.”

Viv grinned. This just might work.